Mike Ramirez docked Excel November 12 after a ten-day Brad Merrit charter with 32 anglers aboard. They fished at Alijos Rocks and on The Ridge, enjoying nice weather, noted Ramirez in his final report.

Ray May of Rancho Santa Margarita won first place for his 219-pound tuna. Don Bennett of Santa Barbara won second place for a 185.4-pounder, and Doug Moore of Oregon took third place for a 157.6-pound tuna.

“We have the final from our Kimura's 10 day trip,” said the Independence report from November 12, “we want to again thank all who made the trip with us this year and hope to see you again soon. The Jackpot fish for the trip are as follows: Gary Vanderlyke landed a 265.2 yellowfin tuna to take top honors. 2nd place went to Howard Sawa for his 261.0 yellowfin and third-place fish was caught by 12-year-old Luke Appel. His yellowfin tipped the scales at 248.4, Great job on those bigguns. Other cows caught on the trip, Jerry Watkins 216.8, Dan Wasnick 245.4, Jay Tevelde 213.6, Guy Mitchell 210.0, Pat Calandrino 203.6, Frank Woolsey 213.4 and 226.8, Cliff Hart 244, 238, and 217, James Russell 217.4, and Gary Vanderlyke also landed a 231. Everyone had at least one of the bigger tuna and most all onboard had their personal best.”

Joe D’Acquisto docked Red Rooster III November 12 after an eight-day Charbait trip into southern waters that found some big tuna along with the usual tuna and yellowtail on The Ridge and at Cedros Island.

Nestor Murillo of Oxnard won first place for a 276.3-pound yellowfin. Oscar Muela of La Mirada got one that weighed 248 pounds for second place. Third place went to Chris Gault of Upland, for his 244.6-pound tuna. David Jefferies won the trolling jacket for the fourth-place fish.

“Charter master Larry Fancher and this entire group of anglers performed to the highest standard this voyage,” wrote skipper Tim Ekstrom November 12, “maintaining the positive environment from the first moment to the last. The final night gathering before dinner was vibrant with exuberance as we relived and reveled in our success. A standout moment was when Larry queried the group as to how many personal bests were achieved among them: 21 out of 23. The second query was how many anglers landed their first 200-pound tuna this voyage: 16 out of 23. Not a bad statistic for a ten-day trip that the majority of anglers were completely unexpecting of such results upon departure. Our Photo: Royal Star angler John Cox does the honors in this brochure quality image with his 237 gleaming in the mid day sun.”